Buddhism Better (Maybe)

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Transcript of Buddhism Better (Maybe)

BUDDHISM All About Buddhism Warning: You May Get Dizzy Insight & Background What does "Buddha" mean? Buddha means to be “awake” or “the awakened one”. The term “Buddha” usually refers to one who has become enlightened and does not equate exclusively to Siddhartha Gautama. Gautama is referred to as “the Buddha,” but many other Buddhas (awakened human beings), exist, and have existed.

When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said, “awareness.” Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself. Gautama Buddha Basically, he was a prince who went off and became a holy man who found enlightenment under the Bodhi tree where he discovered a connection between nature and man to which karma is but a specific application It's what Buddha sat under when he found enlightenment Buddhism is "A Way of Life" ~Buddha is the example to follow~Buddha is not God and he is not an incarnation of God either. He never claimed to be nor does Buddhism have a god because Buddha believed that the idea of God came from fear.~Buddha said "Gripped by fear people go to sacred mountains, sacred groves, sacred trees and shrines."~No evidence to prove God~Belief is not necessary~Some believe belief is necessary to explain origins~Buddhists believe in evolution of the world over millions of years Buddhist Bible: Tipitaka Original is written in Pali (what Buddha spoke) and it would take 40 volumes to translate it to English Buddha is NOT a savior! A Buddha is not a savior who saves others by his personal salvation.He is a teacher and the followers are students. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha as his incomparable guide who indicates the path of purity, he makes no servile surrender. A Buddhist does not think that he can gain purity merely by seeking refuge in the Buddha or by mere faith in Him. It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others. Neither devotion to the world nor asceticism saves a man, but only complete detachment. One is not asked to renounce love, but only love for one’s self; this is the goal of the Eight-Foot Path to which, at the end, people find Nirvana. Nirvana is believed to be either annihilation or absorption into Buddha. A man must save himself, no rituals or gods will help him. There is no god in Buddhism but just worship of him; each person believes they can eventually become an “Enlightened One” Buddhism Rules Precepts are not like the 10 commandments. They are training. 5 Precepts 1) To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings. This precept applies to all living beings not just humans. All beings have a right to their lives and that right should be respected.

2) To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given. This precept goes further than mere stealing. One should avoid taking anything unless one can be sure that is intended that it is for you.

3) To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct. It covers any overindulgence in any sensual pleasure such as gluttony.

4) To undertake the training to refrain from false speech. As well as avoiding lying and deceiving, this precept covers slander as well as speech which is not beneficial to the welfare of others.

5) To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness. This precept is in a special category as it does not infer any intrinsic evil in, say, alcohol itself but indulgence in such a substance could be the cause of breaking the other four precepts. 6) To abstain from taking food at inappropriate times. This would mean following the tradition of Theravadin monks and not eating from noon one day until sunrise the next.

7) To abstain from dancing, singing, music and entertainments as well as refraining from the use of perfumes, ornaments and other items used to adorn or beautify the person. Again, this and the next rule.

8) To undertake the training to abstain from using high or luxurious beds are rules regularly adopted by members of the Sangha and are followed by the layperson on special occasions. Additional Precepts Since Buddha encouraged his students to give each day equal importance, holidays were less significant except major events in Buddha’s life are celebrated in Asia 1. Birthday- April 8th2. Buddha’s enlightenment-Thervada (May or June), Zen (December 8)3. Buddha’s Paranirvana- thervada (May of June), Mahayana and Vajrayana (February 15)Yellow-robed monks usually go bare-foot and carry begging bowls; besides those, a monks only other possessions are a needle, a string of 108 beads which they count as they meditate on Buddha, a razor, and a filter to keep bugs out of their water so they can’t harm the insects At the age of four, for devout Buddhists families, a boy becomes a monk for a short time This ceremony is more important than any other in one’s life, a special pavilion is built, food, music, and presents are provided for the assisting monksEvery visitor acquires a merit for the ceremony to help them approach their next incarnation with increased good karma The boy is dressed in princely clothes (to represent young Buddha) then they are removed to impress on him the vanity of worldliness, then the head is shaved, the boy is dressed in monk robes and repeats the sacred Three Refuges: “I seek the refuge of the Buddha of the law of the order of the monks.”, then the boy is placed in the monastery where he tastes monkish life 8-Fold Path & 4 Noble Truths The Eight-Fold Path is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths - the first of the Buddha's teachings. All the teachings flow from this foundation.

The Four Noble Truths are

1. The Noble Truth of the reality of Dukkha as part of conditioned existence. Dukkha is a multi-faceted word. Its literal meaning is "that which is difficult to bear". It can mean suffering, stress, pain, anguish, affliction or unsatisfactoriness. Each of the English words is either too strong or too weak in their meaning to be a universally successful translation. Dukkha can be gross or very subtle. From extreme physical and mental pain and torment to subtle inner conflicts and existential malaise.

2. The Noble Truth that Dukkha has a causal arising. This cause is defined as grasping and clinging or aversion. On one hand it is trying to control anything and everything by grabbing onto or trying to pin them down, On the other hand it is control by pushing away or pushing down and running away or flinching away from things. It is the process of identification through which we try to make internal and external things and experiences into "me and mine" or wholly '"other" than Me. This flies in the face of the three signs of existence - Anicca, Dukkha. Anatta - Impermanence. Stress or Suffering and No-Self. Because all conditioned existence is impermanent it gives rise to Dukkha, and this means that in conditioned existence there is no unchanging and permanent Self. There is nothing to grasp onto and also in reality, nothing or no 'one' to do the grasping! We grab onto or try to push away ever changing dynamic processes. These attempts to control, limit us to little definitions of who we are.

3. The Noble Truth of the end of Dukkha, which is Nirvana or Nibbana. Beyond grasping and control and conditional existence is Nirvana. "The mind like fire unbound." The realisation of Nirvana is supreme Bodhi or Awakening. It is waking up to the true nature of reality. It is waking up to our true nature. Buddha Nature. The Pali Canon of Theravada, the foundational Buddhist teachings, says little about Nirvana, using terms like the Unconditioned the Deathless, and the Unborn. Mahayana teachings speak more about the qualities of Nirvana and use terms like, True Nature, Original Mind, Infinite light and Infinite life. Beyond space and time. Nirvana defies definition.

Nirvana literally means "unbound' as in "Mind like fire unbound". This beautiful image is of a flame burning by itself. Just the flame, not something burning and giving off a flame. Picture a flame burning on a wick or stick, it seems to hover around or just above the thing burning. The flame seems to be independent of the thing burning but it clings to the stick and is bound to it. This sense of the flame being unbound has often been misunderstood to mean the flame is extinguished or blown out. This is completely opposite to the meaning of the symbol. The flame "burns" and gives light but is no longer bound to any combustible material. The flame is not blown out - the clinging and the clung to is extinguished. The flame of our true nature, which is awakening, burns independently. Ultimately Nirvana is beyond conception and intellectual understanding. Full understanding only comes through direct experience of this "state' which is beyond the limitations and definitions of space and time.

4. The Noble Truth of the Path that leads to Awakening. The path is a paradox. It is a conditioned thing that is said to help you to the unconditioned. Awakening is not "made" by anything: it is not a product of anything including the Buddha's teachings. Awakening, your true nature is already always present. We are just not awake to this reality. Clinging to limitation, and attempts to control the ceaseless flow of phenomena and process obscures our true nature.

The path is a process to help you remove or move beyond the conditioned responses that obscure your true nature. In this sense the Path is ultimately about unlearning rather than learning - another paradox. We learn so we can unlearn and uncover. The Buddha called his teaching a Raft. Don't cling to anything including the teachings. However, make sure you use them before you let them go. The teachings are tools. The Path

1. * Samma-Ditthi — Complete or Perfect Vision, also translated as right view or understanding. Vision of the nature of reality and the path of transformation.

2. Samma-Sankappa — Perfected Emotion or Aspiration, also translated as right thought or attitude. Liberating emotional intelligence in your life and acting from love and compassion. An informed heart and feeling mind that are free to practice letting go.

4. Samma-Kammanta — Integral Action. Also called right action. An ethical foundation for life based on the principle of non-exploitation of oneself and others. The five precepts.

5. Samma-Ajiva — Proper Livelihood. Also called right livelihood. This is a livelihood based on correct action the ethical principal of non-exploitation. The basis of an Ideal society.

6. Samma-Vayama — Complete or Full Effort, Energy or Vitality. Also called right effort or diligence. Consciously directing our life energy to the transformative path of creative and healing action that fosters wholeness. Conscious evolution.

8. Samma-Samadhi — Full, Integral or Holistic Samadhi. This is often translated as concentration, meditation, absorption or one-pointedness of mind. None of these translations is adequate. Samadhi literally means to be fixed, absorbed in or established at one point, thus the first level of meaning is concentration when the mind is fixed on a single object. The second level of meaning goes further and represents the establishment, not just of the mind, but also of the whole being in various levels or modes of consciousness and awareness. This is Samadhi in the sense of enlightenment or Buddhaho Now the Fun Stuff! Fun Stuff: Sights, Sounds, Tastes, Feels, Smells Symbols Lotus Flower The lotus flower symbolises the complete purification of the defilements of the body, speech and mind, and the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation.Note: Also symbolizes enlightenment Precious Umbrella The precious umbrella symbolizes the wholesome activity of preserving beings from illness, harmful forces, obstacles and so forth in this life and all kinds of temporary and enduring sufferings of the three lower realms, and the realms of men and gods in future lives. It also represents the enjoyment of a feast of benefit under its cool shade. Golden Fish The golden fish symbolizes the auspiciousness of all living beings in a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and migrating from place to place freely and spontaneously, just as fish swim freely without fear through water.Note: Also symbolizes diligence Dharma Wheel The golden wheel symbolizes the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel of Buddha's doctrine, both in its teachings and realizations, in all realms and at all times, enabling beings to experience the joy of wholesome deeds and liberation. Vase of Treasure The treasure vase symbolises an endless rain of long life, wealth and prosperity and all the benefits of this world and liberation. Victory Banner The victory banner symbolises the victory of the activities of one's own and others body, speech and mind over obstacles and negativities. It also stands for the complete victory of the Buddhist Doctrine over all harmful and pernicious forces. Right-coiled White Conch The white conch which coils to the right symbolises the deep, far-reaching and melodious sound of the Dharma teachings, which being appropriate to different natures, predispositions and aspirations of disciples, awakens them from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own and others' welfare. Auspicious Drawing The auspicious drawing symbolises the mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs. Similarly, it represents the union of wisdom and method, the inseparability of emptiness and dependent arising at the time of path, and finally, at the time of enlightenment, the complete union of wisdom and great compassion. Sound Tina Turner LiveSound Video Question Live What does Buddhism sound like? (cc) photo by twicepix on Flickr FISH DRUMS BELL SIGHTS What does Buddhism look like? VIDEO Blue: Universal Compassion Yellow : The Middle Path Red : Blessings White : Purity and Liberation Orange : Wisdom

TASTE Sarah should have made some delicious vegetarian food, so.... Buddhist Diet ~Buddhists also do not eat garlic, onions, or leeks because they are pungent spices.~Buddhist monks do not eat during the afternoon because they do not want to get drowsy during their meditation. ~Exceptions are only made if they are sick. ~Buddha never forbade people to eat meat. He just said never to eat humans, elephants, hyenas, snakes, horses, dogs, lions, tigers, and bears. ~Buddhists (monks), however, only eat meat if it was not killed especially for them due to their Karmic debt. A Look Inside TWO VIDEOS SMELL AND TOUCH Incense and a Buddha The Lotus

The most common flower seen in Buddhist shrines, or on the base of statues, are lotuses, as they represent the potential or actuality of Enlightenment.

• The lotus grows out of the mud and blossoms above the water surface, yet it is not dirtied by the mud from which it grows.

• The Buddha is likened to the lotus. Like a lotus that rises out of a muddy pond, the Buddha rose above the defilements and sufferings of life.

• We are right now surrounded by defilements and sufferings, just as the lotus seed is surrounded by dirt, mud and filth. We should rise above our defilements and sufferings, just like the lotus flower arising above the muddy water.

• This serves to remind us of our own potential Buddhahood. We may have defilements today, but we all have the potential of growing out of defilements and achieving wisdom like the Buddha.

• When incense is lit, its fragrance spreads.• Incense symbolizes the fragrance of pure moral conduct.• This reminds us to cultivate good conduct. Offering of Water

• Water symbolizes purity, clarity and calmness.• This reminds us to practise the Buddha's teachings, so as to cleanse our minds, which are full of desire, ill-will and ignorance, and to attain the state of purity. Offering of Fruit

• Fruit symbolizes the ultimate fruit of Enlightenment which is our goal.• Fruit also reminds us that all actions will have their effect.

Offering of Flowers

• The freshness, fragrance and beauty of flowers are impermanent.• Fresh and beautiful flowers will soon become withered, scentless and discoloured.• This reminds us of the Buddha's teaching that all things are impermanent.• We should value what we have now and live in the present. A great site to visit is buddhanet.net Presentation byAmber Carrilloand Sarah Henry